This is from the 2012 Winter Solstice release, still on-tap in February:

A - a beautiful dark toffee muddy brown color. There was minimal head and what head there was disappeared to a small ring around the top of the glass, with the small head there was a small amount of lacing, the lacing had great legs.

S - Man this smells great, toffee and marshamallow followed by the booziness of the Bourbon. There is a sense of some fig and raisin with the backbone of the malt present as well.

T - The taste is different from anything I have had before, the bourbon and toffee along with the marshmallow were dominant and just like the aroma there was just a hint of some fruit mostly figs and raisins but something else along with it I just couldnt place.

M - very smooth with minimal carbonation, nice full body.

O - wow, this is an outstanding beer. Was very dissapointed they didn't have any for sale in bottle even though the menu indicated they had some. would gladly pay $8.00 per bottle for a few of these. This is rapidly going to be something I search for and has moved into the upper tier of beers that I have enjoyed.

Trade from deyholla, part of an awesome box. Thanks! 2011 bottle. Pours cloudy dark brownish red with a hint of kahki head. Smell is an amazing blend of vanilla caramel, chocolate, oak, bourbon and maybe some brandy. Beautiful. Surprisingly mellow flavor. Bready malts and chocolate fade into strong vanilla oak and subtle caramel notes. Bourbon is there up front but dissapates into the complexity of the barrels quickly. Thick viscous mouthfeel almost like a stout. Almost like a caramello dipped in bourbon with vanilla ice cream on top. And yet the sweetness is not overpowering. Just fantastic. One of the best beers I have ever had.

A friend brought this back after a trip to Michigan. This review is of the 2011 version, served at about 55 degrees.

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into an oversized snifter. Pours a deep mahogany brown, with a minimal might tan head. Moderate cloudniess in the beer gives it a bit of a murky quality; otherwise, it is the color of cola.

The aroma is intense and boozy, with tons of burnt toffee, malt and dark cherry. I don't quite get the burnt marshmellow advertised on the bottle, but there is a burnt quality to the brew.

The taste is malty, boozy, yeasty and strong, with dark fruit, caramel and burnt sugar. This is an intensely flavorful beer that demands it be sipped. A bit peaty and earthy, there's tremendous depth to this ale. Chocolate notes begin to come out the warmer it gets.

Full bodied with low bitterness, the brew has the feel of heavy creme it is so thick. There's a bit of fruity tang in the finish that balances out the ale nicely.

This is a slow sipper of a beer, meant to be enjoyed like one would enjoy a sherry, port or cognac, perfect for a cold winter day. You don't come across many olde ales that are as "English" as this; a true treat!

Ah, and Mike sends me a box of De Dolle happiness with a bottle of this....2012 bottle. Served at cellar temp into a HF tulip.

A - Mahogany with no head...wait a second...the small head rises. Perfect. White head with a hint of tan, beautifully turns into lacing, which returns when necessary. Foam doesn't stick to the glass, but the body does. Looks great for the style.

T - Spiced, creamy wood, caramelized dark fruits, brown sugar and a lot of oak in the back half. Sweet oak is strong on the finish with a hint of heat in the throat, but not really on the tongue. The caramelized fruits blend well in the finish with the oak, but the barrel is stonger.

M - Thick. I love it.

O - We tried this about a year ago (2011 version) next to the BA Papier / Coton / Cuir set and it was better than everything except the BA Coton. I didn't rate it because I was in poor form, but I can now say that the 2012 has proved that this beer is quite incredible. I almost wish that Mike didn't send it, because now I need more.

A: Almost completely opaque black/dark brown color. Tiny off-white head forms but it rapidly dissipated. S: Tons of bourbon. Caramel, vanilla and brown sugar follow. A bit of alcohol that blends well with the rest of the aroma. T: Taste is just exceptional. Caramel, bourbon, chocolate, marshmallows, maple and alcohol blend together perfectly. It has an excellent oak/vanilla finish (in a way it reminds me of BVDL). A bit of an alcohol bite at the end. M: Medium/thick body with low carbonation. This is dangerously drinkable, especially for the ABV. O: Amazing beer. I'm afraid I'll be disappointed by any old ales that I come across next.

A - Pours a nearly opaque dark, dark brown body that is just a shade below black. Holding this up to the light creates a sheen of dark red illumination through the beer. One finger of light khaki foam forms but doesn't stick around long. A swirl generates a long lasting lace of tiny bubbles that falls down slowly leaving behind some alcohol legs.

S - As soon as I cracked the bottle I got a huge whiff of bourbon and oak. The nose is strong on the dark fruits and vanilla. Dates, raisins, and mincemeat. A warming blast of alcohol followed by smooth and rich caramel, brown sugar, toffee, and marsh mallow. Spicy and woody with a lingering ethanol presence. The aroma does not hide its alcohol, instead it puts it on full display like a fine high proof bourbon.

T - Caramel, marshmallow, molasses, brown sugar, maple, raisins and some chocolate. Smooth and earthy english toffee with a smooth oak and vanilla finish. A very complex drinker with a plethora of sweet and decadent flavors attacking your tongue. The alcohol has a pleasing burn on the end.

M - Medium bodied and slick, well carbonated. Probably not for those who don't enjoy boozy beers.

O - Very impressive BA old ale. Been wanting to try this beer for a long time and its certainly lived up to the hype. This beer is drinking phenomenally out of the gate, I have no idea why anyone would intentionally age this beer. Forever ISO!

Murky dark brown and dark copper in color with a very small light brown head. Leaves the glass with an oily sheen, and only small specks of stick. Appropriate, though not particularly pretty, though that isn't exactly expected with a beer of this style.

The aroma is superb, and one of the best I've experienced within the style. Layers of caramels and toffees, earthy and vanilla-forward bourbon, some oak, along with marshmallow create something truly exceptional. A bit of an alcohol in the aroma prevents this from reaching perfection.

The flavor is, however, perfect. As with the aroma, the complex layers of caramels, toffees, marshmallow, bourbon, vanilla, and alcohol combine for the ultimate drinking experience. Such a delight.

Medium to near full in body, with moderate though creamy carbonation. Exceptionally drinkable.

The beer is brown in color. Viscous looking beer. Light film of foamy head on top of it. Not much. Looks is similar to the original one.

The aroma shows more presence of vanilla. Caramel malts in there too. Sugar and possibly some rum. In the mouth, the vanilla is strongly present. More complex. Full bodied. This is an excellent beer. A true sipper. The alcohol is present and provides good warmth to the body.